Storm brings snow to Sierra, raises skiers' hopes

RENO, Nev. -- A storm has left up to 18 inches of snow in the Sierra Nevada and raised the hopes of skiers and snowboarders after a subpar snowpack last winter.

Frigid temperatures also have allowed ski resorts to crank up snow-making machines in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday period.

Mammoth Mountain Resort, just east of Yosemite National Park, says the storm brought 6 to 12 inches of new snow. It was the only resort open in California on Friday, a day after it began operations for the season.